Original Correspondence.

A FREEMASON'S TOMBSTONE .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will you kindly allow me , through your columns , to bring before the attention of the brethren , a movement , in Newcastle-on-Tyne , to restore the tombstone of John Cunningham , Pastoral Poet . Cunningham was born

in Dublin , in the year 1729 , but in after-life came over to England , where he engaged himself to a company of p layers , and while in Edingburgh , published the first edition of his poems , which at once brought him before the world of letters , as a man of taste and meiif . In 1760 he finally

settled down in Newcastle , and ended his days here , and was buried in St . John ' s churchyard . It is , however , as Masons we are more particularly interested , and in two or three of his poems he gives clear evidences that he was in possession of the mysteries of the Craft . Especially in this—the case in his "Eulogiumof Freemasonry" —when

he sings—* ' Hail to the Craft , at whose serene command The gentle arts in glad obedience stand ; Whose magic stroke bids fell confusion cease , And to the finish'd Orders yields its place ; Who calls Creation from the works of earth , And gives imperial cities glorious birth .

To works of art her merit ' s not confined , She regulates the morals , squares the mind ; Corrects with care the tempest-working soul , And points the tide of passions where to roll , On virtue ' s tablets marks each secret rule , And forms her lodge an universal school ; Where Nature in mystic laws unfolded stand

And sense and science , join'd , go hand in hand ; O , may her social rules instruction spread , Till truth erect her long neglected head ; 'Till through deceitful night she darts her ray , And beam , full glorious in the blaze of day ; 'Till man by virtue's maxims learn to move ; 'Till all the peopled world her laws approve , And the whole human race be bound in Brother's love . "

The same spirit of Masonic principle runs through all his p ieces . His genial disposition and blameless life made his companionship courted by the best society in the town , and at his death , which took place in 1775 , a tombstone was erected by his friends . In 1 S 65 , a memorial window was p laced in the church to his memory by the well-known citizen of Newcastle , Mr . Joseph Cowen . The grave and ton . 'bstone hsvi 'alien into ruin and delapidation . A

Commiitee has , however , been formed to restore it to itsoriginal condition , of which Bro . Sir Matthew White Ridley , Bart ., P . G-M . for Northumberland , is Chairman ; Dr . Hodgkin Banker , Treasurer ; and the writer , Secretary . I feel sure that there are several brother Masons wh j have only to be made acquainted with the movement who would be willing to assist in the labour of love in doing justice to the tomb of a brother Mason , who has left a bright and pleasant name behind him . —I remain , Sir , yours fraternally , JOHN ROBINSON . 67 Woffington-street , Newcastle-on-Tyne .

MASONIC CHARITIES .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The letter of "J ., 174 , " and the table prepared by him , and published in your last issue , has this leading idea—provinces should give to the Charities donations equal in amount to the value of the relief or education , & c , given to their nominees whom they succeed in getting elected

to receive the benefits of tose Institutions , plus expenses of management , 1 presume . That proposition is not in accordance with the scheme of Masonic benevolence as understood and practised by the Craft hitherto . It geographical features , the shifts and changes of trade and commerce , and the varying conditions of life generally , should result in one province being largely composed of

wealthy brethren , and another having only a few , or none , and if , unfortunately , the candidates from the poor province outnumber those from the rich one , I do not see why the plea that "the rich provinces ought to help the poor ( ties " should not be admitted , lor it certainly

embodies the generally accepted idea as to what constitutes Masonic Charity , that is , its almsgiving aspect . 1 venture to hope—nay , I believe—that there are few brethren , either in London or the provinces who will agree with the propositions of " J ., 174 . "—I am , Sir , yours fraternally , September 19 . ESPOIR .

THE ONLY LADY FREEMASON . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Having read Bro . J . Stevens' letter in your issue of the 17 th instant , I think the following facts , with reference to the " only Lady Freemason , " will be of interest to the Craft .

The story which Bro . Stevens quotes , is in the main correctly told . Helene , Countess Hadik Barkoczy , born 1 S 33 , was sole heiress of Count Johann Barkoczy , and being the last of her race was permitted by the Hungarian courts to take the place of a son . She succeeded her father on his death in 1871 , in the extensive Majorat of Barkoczy . In 1 S 60 she married ( Count Bela Hadikaide-de- to the

un-, camp fortunate Emperor Maximilian , of Mexico . With her jnheritence she came into possession of an extensive Masonic library . She was a highly educated lady , and made the Masonic literature her earnest study ; and having mastered the secrets and rituals of almost every Degree ' I ' feemasonry , an ardent admiration for the Masonic Idea " was aroused in her . She was well acquainted

With a few Freemasons , through whom she endeavoured to gain admittance into the craft . Her desire was granted , and she was , in 1 S 75 , duly initiated in the Lodge Egyenloseg , in Unghvar , holding a constitution f , om the Grand Orient of Hungary . Un lea nine this eiarinir violation of the statutes , which

only allow the admission of men into the Order , the Grand "'!™ ' ° f Hungary instituted pioceedings against the FnH ° relhren . i-c , against the Depuly Master of the fo "K ' Gf'Za Mocsar y > who conducted the initiation t breach of the Masonic vow , unjustifiedly conferring ' j 2 . Degrees , doing that which degrades a Freemason * na freemasonry , and for knowingly violatingthe statutes , "

Original Correspondence.

and against the Bro . Orator , the Bro . Junior Warden , and the Secretary of the lodge for the same offences , with exception of the third , and against the other brethren of the lodge of the ' third , second , and first Degree -for the last-named offence . The judgment of the Council was given at their meeting the 5 th January , 1 S 76 . All the accused were found guilty .

The Council condemned the Deputy Master to the loss of all his Masonic rights and expulsion from the Order for ever ; the officers to have their names struck off from the lists , and the other members of the lodge to be suspended for a space of twelve , six , and three months respectively . But still the question remained whether the duly initiated Countess Helene Hadik B 3 skoczy could and ought to be

looked upon as a regular Freemason ; toclaim all the rights of a member of the Fraternity . On this point the Grand Orient of Hungary decided in their meeting of the 19 th March , 1 S 76 , as follows : 1 . The Grand Orient declare the admission of the Countess Helene Hadik Barkoczy ! o be contrary to the laws , and therefore null and void , forbid her admittance

into any lodge of their jurisdiction under penalty of erasion of the lodge from the rolls , and request all Grand Lodges to do the same . < 2 . The Countess is requested to return the invalid cerlificate which she holds within 10 days , in default of which measures will be taken to immediately confiscate the

certificate whenever produced at any of the lodges . The proceeding of the Hungarian lodge in initiating a woman was universally condemned ; but the question whether an initiation once effected could be undone became a subject of much controversy at the time , arid was ventilated in the Freemason of 23 rd September , 1 S 76 . —Yours faithfully and fraternally ,

C . KUPFERSCHM 1 DT , P . M . 23 S 23 , Woodberry-grove , Finsbury Park , 20 th September .

THE REVELATION OF THE SHECHINAH . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Many thanks for your criticism in last week ' s paper upon my little book . With your permission , I beg to make the following remarks : If a circle is described and the Shemham phorasch placed in the Quinaries we have the

360 degrees . The wonder wheel on page iS is the Druidical circlethat circle , or wheel when squared is the Christian Church In my Taro the four aces are—the ace of Iods , the ace ol Hes , the ace of Vans , and the second ace of Hes , or , hieroglyphically speaking , the ace of Eagles , Ihe ace of Watercarriers , the ace of Bulls , and the ace of Lions .

As to the " astral key of their relative cards , " I beg to call your attention to that Hermetic maxim , without which all Hermeticism and Kabalism is obscure—1 mean "That which is above is the reflection of what is below ; " " That which is below is the reflection of what is above " —each in its own order , and here steps in the grand key of correspondences . —Yours truly and fraternally , VINCIT QUI LE VINCIT . July 19 th .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Cratt Jirlagonrg . CITY OF LONDON LODGE ( No . 901 ) . —A regular meeting of this old established and flourishing lodge was held at the Guildhall Tavern , Gresham-street , on Monday , the 19 th inst . This was the first gathering of the winter session , and was marked by a large attendance ol officers and members . Bro . Daniel Hughes , W . M ., presided , and was supported by Bros . Henry Harbord , I . P . M . ;

R . P . Stevens , S . W , ; J . Hoddinott , J . W . ; J . Hughes , P . M ., Treas . ; C . Beaumont , P . P . G . D . Essex , P . M ., Sec ; W . R . Haylock , S . D . ; A . Prince , J . D . ; G . Rubardt . I . G . ; J . E . Finister , Org . ; E . Penney and R . F . Whur , Stewards ; H . McClelland , P . M . ; A . Ginger , P . M . ; David Hughes , P . M . ; and G . Conolly , P . M . ihe visitors included Bros . C . R . Williams , W . M . 72 ; W . J .

Palmer , 341 ; J . Mayo , 1614 ; J . Murrell , 193 ; C . G . Daviniere , 1669 ; J . Richardson , 511 ; S . Webb , 193 , Treas . 12 S 7 ; J . Garrod , P . M . 754 ; and W . VV . Lee , 1897 . The lodge having been formally opened , the minutes of the last regular and emergency meetings were read and confirmed . Ballot having been taken for Mr . Henry Hall ,

as a candidate for initiation , and resulting unanimously in his favour , he was initiated by the W . M . in a very fluent and impressive manner . The highest credit is due to Bro . Hughes , W . M ., for his admirable working , which proved that he had made good use of the few years that have elapsed since his initiation . The by-laws having been read by the Secretary , the resignation of Bro . Hand was

considered , and it was unanimously decided to ask that esteemed brother to re-consider his decision . It was agreed that Bro . Stevens , S . W ., should represent the lodge as Steward at the next Festival of the R . M . Benevolent Institution , and it is to be hoped that he will be as "successful as the present W . M ., who , we believe , took up the largest list to that Institution ever sent up by the lodge . Propositions having

been received , lodge was closed in due form . The brethren then adjourned to a substantial banquet , and a very pleasant and enjoyable evening was spent under the genial presidency of the W . M ., who carried out the duties of the chair in the banquet room with the same success that had marked his tffurts in the lodge . The usual toasts were subsequently given , and received

with the customary heartiness . Having proposed "The Oueen and the Craft , " Bro . D . Hughes , W . M ., gave "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " and said that , as Masons , they were proud of his Royal Highness as the M . W . G . M . of their Order .

Those brethren who were privileged to attend the meeting at the Royal Albert Hall must have been impressed with tne able and efficient manner in which his Royal Highness conducted the important duties of that great day . Their M . W . G . M . was a hardworking Mason , ; and he ( the W . M . ) had never felt so proud of being a Mason as he did on that

memorable occasion . He would not enlarge on that important toast ; but ask them to receive it with enthusiasm . "The Grand Officers" having been given , Bro . Harbord , I . P . M ., introduced the toast of "The Worshipful Master . " and remarked that he esteemed it a pleasure and privilege that the task shoulddevolveupon himself . He would be brief in his remarks , for he knew that one and all would

receive the toast in an enthusiastic manner . The brethren had not forgotten the way in which Bro . Daniel Hughes , their respected and esteemed VV . Master , performed his work in the lodge room , or the admirable manner in which he presided over the banquet lable , and the members did not need reminding of the happy and glorious day they spent under

his presidency at their summer festival . Their VV . Master took as much interest in Freemasonry , and especially in their lodge , as it was possible for any brother to take , and he devoted his whole energy to the work . The brethren would therefore join , with all heartiness , in drinking the health of the W . M . s

Bro . Daniel Hughes , W . M ., said he rose with diffidence to respond to the flattering allusons made by the I . P . M ., and to thank the brethren for the enthusiasm that had characterised their reception of the toast . He couid not , however , help admitting that a great deal of the I . P . M . ' s remarks were true , especially as regarded the interest he took in their lodge . The end of his term of office was

gradually drawing near , and he could assure them that his year in the chair had been one of more anxiety than any since he entered the Order . He had naturally been anxious for the prosperity and well-being of their lodge , and his desire had been to carry out his duties in such a manner as to merit the esteem and regard of the brethren . That had been his aim and ambition since he had occupied the chair ,

and whilst he held the position of W . M . he should continue to exert himself for the benefit of their lodge , and carry out his duties to the best of his ability . " The Initiate " having been given and dulv responded to by Bro . Hall , the W . M . proposed "The Visitors , " and said that this toast was one that invariably afforded considerable pleasure to the W . M . ' s . 'I hey were very

pleased to meet brethren from other lodges , and the members took credit to themselves that it was a well-known fact that visitors were always sure of a hearty and cordial welcome . They endeavoured to entertain them and give them a treat in the lodge working , and he was glad to say he had never known a visitor leave them who had not been well satisfied at their endeavours .

Bro . Garrod , P . M . 754 , m response , said it was a matter of great regret to him that he had not been present to witness the admirable working , but he had been with them in spirit . ' The visitors would agree with him that a brother who failed to enjoy himself at that lodge must be dull of understanding . Through the kindness of his esteemed friend , Bro . Beaumont , P . M ., the energetic Secretary , he had been enabled to spend a pleasant and enjoyable

evening . Bro . Williams , W . M . 72 , also returned hearty thanks for the hearty reception accorded the visitors , and said that he felt a great honour had been bestowed upon him in visiting their lodge for the first time . He had particularly enjoyed the treat of listening to the very admirable working of the W . M ., who was very ably supported by theofficers .

Without good officers , few brethren , except the W . Master . and P . M . 's , knew the difficulties that presented themselves , but with efficient officers such as he had seen that ni ght the work was a pleasure , and was more impressive to the candidate . When every detail was carried out as successfully as on the present occasion , it must be a source of pride and gratification for the W . Master to preside over

such an efficient staff of officers . Bro . Mayo , 1614 , also replied . " The Hast Masters " was next given by the Worshipful Master , who remarked that his respect for the P . M . 's increased at every meeting , especially as his year was drawing to a close , and he should soon become one of their number . He should , however , be proud to be the junior of that class

, for every P . M . had been so successful that it was not possible for him to excel them . There was great credit due to the P . M . ' s for the spirit of emulation they had given the other members . In that body they had had a splendid example , for they were all brethren who had the

lodge at heart and had done their best for its welfare . He regretted to say that three of their P . M . ' s had passed away to the great majority , but those who were left would continue to exert their influence for the welfare of their lodge . He asked the members to heartily receive the toast , and coupled with it the name of Bro . Harbord . I . P . M .

Bro . Harbord , I . P . M ., after thanking the W . M . for his kind remarks , said that the P . M . ' s would always take the greater interest in the lodge , and endeavour to promote its welfare to the best of their ability . Bros . Beaumont , P . M ., Sec , and J . Hughes , P . M .. Treas ., also responded . "The Officers" was next given by the Worshipful Masterwho

, complimented them on their efficient work , and having been replied to by Bros . Stevens , S . W ., and Hoddinott , J . W ., the Tyler ' s toast closed the proceedings . During the evening the following members assisted the enjoyment cf the brethren with some excellent music Bros . South , Tuck , Prince , Stevens , and Ginger . A special meed of praise is due to Bro . South , whose admirable singing was deservedly appreciated by all present .

EMBLEMATIC LODGE ( No . 1321 ) . —The regular meeting of this very popular lodge was held at the Bridge House Hotel , London Bridge , on Thursday , the 15 th inst . Bro . VV . Engltfield , the W . M ., occupied the chair , suppoited by Past Masters Kirkaldy , Forrest , Hunter , and a good staff of officers .

Mr . Geo . Hartley was initiated into Ancient Freemasonry , and Bros . VV . P . B . Browne , Harry Williams , and E . Clifford passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft , in a very able manner by the W . M . In response to a letter received from the Secretary of the Girls' Institution with reference to the coming Centenary Festival , Bro . Price , the present S . D ., at once offered , to represent the lodge on the ausoccasion

picious . All other business being completed , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to partake of refreshments . After the loyal toasts had been drunk , Bro . Kirkaldy , the I . P . M ., proposed in very suitabl words "The Health of the W . M . " Several other toasts followed , and some good singinjr , which brought a very pleasant evening to a close .